Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

It broke my heart when I heard the news about Robyn, it was a shock to say the least.
She will be missed that's for sure and she never snickered when we traded dog stories. I had three Chihuahuas at the time, thanks for that Robyn. Rest in Peace lovely lady.

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

story continues......
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When the MG enters the shelter of the Queen's wings, it feels impossible to stop the flow of tears.... our bodies heave with sobs... our hearts literally feeling like they are breaking from the gaping hole Apollo's loss has left us......

The Queen, knowing all too well the toll it can take when grief is overwhelming... speaks in her ancient tongue and breathes out her magic smoke that anesthetizes the mind and allows one to calm their spirit..... Our tears do not stop, but we are able to control our sobs and begin to wrap our minds around the truth....

It is not just Apollo who was lost, her faithful companion, Shadow, also died while trying to protect her mistress..... Smoke continues to whimper .... his fur soaked with our tears..... I look at the MG, and the depth of sorrow in his eyes, causes my heart to skip a beat, feeling as if someone just punched me in the chest.... I grasp my chest in a knee jerk reaction to stop the pain.... It is temporary, but in self-preservation mode, I keep my eyes on the ground ... there is grieving, and then there is grieving that feels like it will take your last breath..... The Queen, once again, blows smoke that covers our heads .... Her words causing us to fall into a temporary trance allowing us to absorb information without causing more physical distress....

{Apollo was indeed on a recon mission with the Elves and Shadow when they were ambushed by Trolls..... It was magic derived from the most evil of places created by the Spirit of Chaos that allowed the Trolls to get so close undetected.... This same evil magic was forged into the steel poisoned arrows that took the lives of Apollo, Shadow and the two warrior Elves that were with them.... Due to it's almost unstoppable evil, this magic had been hidden by dragons centuries ago... The Spirit of Chaos and it's evil was contained till Arabella with the help of the evil Elf, stumbled upon a spell that released The Spirit back into the world... It is vital that we gather our wits about us sooner rather than later ... We are being summoned to the Elven Council... }

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

Once more Twilight finds Me and Flash sitting quietly above MG's Troop Camp...Suddenly I can't help but feel a tremendous amount of sorrow come crashing over us ... ... "Meow..Meow..Meooow.... ....Oh no Flash..Our dear New Friends have received the devastating news that one of their Dearest Friends and Her Faithful Companion Shadow has fallen in a horrible Battle with one of our greatest enemies the Trolls?.. ..... ... .Can you sense their where a bouts right this minute Flash? Meow?...Why?...Because We need to be with them not only to give comfort.. ... but also to listen and learn about all the Brave and Heroic Deeds Apollo gold and Shadow accomplished here during Her service to the Golden Queen and her Mate. From those tales I hope to learn how to serve in a Brave manner also Flash......

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

I stand a washed in hot heavy tears not only from my own eyes bt from The Queen and Imp who is shaking so hard her body wracked as mine is in heart breaking pain.
The Queen folds her huge wings tighter then blows a soft puff on us , we inhale deeply a calm comes over us but does not take away the pain of what has happened
and what we are going to have to face shortly.
I ask Imp if she can stand on her wobbling legs so we can go get ready to be taken to the Elvin Council for Robyn's Ceremony
Imp nods her head but still holds on to me, The Queen opens her wings and we blink
back the bright sunshine, my eyes focused now I see everyone gathered around us critters to ,attention all Rosie , Penny, Alya, Pup please join me here I will give you instructions from The Queen as how we are to be dressed before the The Elvin Council comes for us.
Boys will you see to the camp while we are gone ,extra patrols around the perimeter and the Tunnels
I make sure Imp gets to her Cottage then I head of to mine to prepare.
On the table I find a note with instructions in what I have to do to prepare my body and mind, also there are bottles of special soaps and shampoo that must be used and the purest white undergarments to be worn , the note also explains when The Council arrives they will have the special robes we shall wear , that they will delivered one at a time to us and we are not to look at the one who brings us the robe nor speak to them.
My legs are to shaky and I have to sit and prepare myself,, I whisper Robyn please
help me through this darkest hour..........

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

With such sad heavy hearts Flash and I slowly make our way toward Imps cottage... .... "How can we express our utmost feelings toward MG and Imp now while they are so hurt and sad Flash?" Meow..Meow.. ...What!..Flash, how do you know just what to say when I don't?..Meow..Meowww...Meow.. ...Oh...I am to tell them the following message that you've just received from Apollo's Shadow via your Critter telekinesis......."A soft, gently breeze...slowly blows through MGs open window and softly touches his cheeks to dry his tears. Just enough...to let him know that he is not alone...then slowly disappears."....... Your certain Flash that these simple loving words will give comfort to MG now when he and Imp need it the most?.. ...Ok..Here I go.....

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

I wrap my arm around Imp's shoulders, "Let's go home. A nice cup of tea, is what we need." I steer her towards our cabin, I can already feel her strength coming back. She's been through a lot but she's a tough little thing, she'll conquer this as well. But then again, we have no choice but to accept what card fate has dealt us.

I added a log to the fire while Imp filled the kettle and placed it over the flame, reaching for the cups and tin of tea I peeked over my shoulder to see her using the poker to arrange the new log. We drank our tea in silence but it was a comforting type of silence sitting side by side our shoulders touching for moral support. Bertie hovering around our heads softly chirping his own brand of comfort. Soon our cups were empty and we set about preparing ourselves for the ceremony with the Elves. Still not a word spoken but we didn't really need to there was nothing to say that would change things.

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

My mind is still numb from the Queen's anesthetizing smoke.... The MG helps me to stand and then hands me off to Penny who escorts me to our cabin..... My legs wobbling less and less with each step...

Filling the kettle with water and placing it over the fire feels like an out of body experience... my muscles automatically performing mundane duties as if on auto pilot.... I watch the fire dance as I poke around the embers....

Not the first time, nor did I think it would be the last, I was thankful Penny had welcomed me into her home to stay.... Neither she nor I were big on talking but the silences never felt awkward, in fact, the silences were peaceful and soothing.....

There is a knock at the door, Penny answers and one of the women from the camp hands Penny bright white undergarments we are to wear.... the white sheaths are floor length and made of a thick cotton blend.... I make my way to my room and when I put it on, it feels crisp .. I imagine starch was used in the ironing process, not a flawed wrinkle to be found....

I tiptoe out of the room to see if Penny is ready.... I knock on her door and ask her if we should braid each other's hair.... I typically kept mine in a ponytail but a funeral - and an Elven one at that, seemed like we should look more "stern" and "orderly"....

As if on cue, there is another knock at the door and when I answer, I find Claire with one of her girlfriends with black satin ribbons standing before me.... Claire shyly states that they are here to braid our hair and was told to use black.... I sit patiently on a stool and watch the fire.... Claire goes off in search of Penny while her friend introduces herself to me as Mia and begins gently taking out the tangles in my hair with her comb... She uses special oils that give off a woody-earthy smell....I close my eyes and get lost in memories of Apollo and her dire wolf, Shadow....

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

I walk to my cottage in a fog, not knowing what is breaking the most , my heart or my soul.
I reach for my door and am taken aback as it opens before I even touch it.
There fluttering an inch away from my face it a blur??
What is it a humming bird come through my window?
A Bee?? Wren?? am I losing my mind?
I want to step aside so it can fly away outside but it does not move?
I hear soft whimpers coming from what every this thing is wings whirring a mile a minute do birds cry?
I shake my head to try and clear it ,maybe the Queens smoke effected me in a different way .
All of a sudden the flying thing attacks me and lands on my cheek, I expect to get a wallop of a sting but no I feel wetness on my cheek then I hear a tiny voice I have not heard in a very long time.
Tiny?? Tiny is that you ??I then hear yes you crazy galoot it is I the one and only Tiny
I had to come when I heard the news of our great Apollo and our beautiful Shadow.
I went first to the Elvin Forest to know for sure if this was true and found it to be true.
The Elders Of The Counsel know of yours and mine's long time friendship so my dear Captain I have been given the duty of coming to you to prepare you and bring you and the other to The Counsel and Apollo and Shadows final resting place.
How do you hug a ting fairy clinging to your face with out him slipping down my tears drops?
Tiny fly's to my shoulder than down to the table so I can now see him clearly, we reminisce for a bit and Tiny tells me he found some of his family his brothers Tot, Tinker,and one sister Trixie Bell, but not his wife nor his children, he left them with The Elders until he returns.
There is a knock at the door it is our village barber Brock an other villagers we rescued from Cloud City, he is here to with the special oils for my shower , haircut and shave , the scents are earthy, summer forest rain, spring flowers and flowing seas.
Tiny lays out the items next to the pure as white I have ever seen undergarments I am to wear.
I am lead off to get ready but as soon as Brock is finished he must leave I am not to be touched except by an Elev or an Elder.
Brock finished he takes his leave and Tiny helps me dress then hands me special foot wear for from now on my feet can not touch the ground until we reach The Elvin Forest where we will all be given new foot wear, Tiny says remember do not stray from the cloth that has been rolled out for you and the others.*****************

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

Before we step outside to join the others Tiny helps me put on a floor length tunic.
I open the door and see the sparkling white fabric that has been placed for Imp, Penny, Rose, Pup, Alya and myself to walk upon.
I also see waiting for me Two White Cloaked figures with there heads bowed so the hood hides there faces, Tiny tells me they are Council Aides sent to give us the Funeral Cloak and lead us to The Ceremony Tiny whispers you can talk to them nor they to you they will dress you then you will follow them with your hands under the cloak,
I bend my head as not to make eye contact and the Robe is put on me and I fold my hands in the sleeves we then turn and My Escorts start the procession we are followed by Two escorts for Imp , followed by two escorts for Rose, two for Penny,
two for Alya, and finaly two followed by (by my request) Pup and the final two as rear guards,
We follow the pat of the pure white cloth and pass the troops standing at attention and Saluting and the villagers head bowed and sobbing, we pass all the critters with there heads down in respect .
The I hear a heart breaking soul wrenching Dire Wolf Howl followed by several others.
I choke back my tears and move on.........................

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

As our group slowly proceeds down the "Sparkling White Fabric", I start to feel a tiny Flash purring softly & comforting me in her special heart harness underneath my robes.....Now, with tear filled eyes, I look past my New Friends and Comrades Imp, Penny, Rose and Ayla to see how MG is faring...... it was then that I came to realize just how much my dearest Friend and Mentor MG had changed....... Gone in some ways..... (in my youthful opinion that is).... was the Captain Randy I'd come to know in the "Special Room".... now,.. in his place.... walked a Strong Commanding Man whose wide shoulders carried a grief-filled burden so great that only with Hope, Prayer and His Family & Friends Love could it be eased as time marched on......."How so alone He looks up there in front of us Flash."......."Pup look around you!"......."Mrs Fletcher?"......."Yes Young'un...., all of yours and Captain Randy's Special Room Friends are here in Spirit to stand along with The Captain an you Pup......."To bestow Special Honors on our Great Friend and Fallen Comrade Apollo Golds Memory.".......At that very moment I feel Roo's warm sweet hand slip into mine while the other hand receives a good firm tug and squeeze letting me know PTG was here too.....One furry Rabbit Paw land's lightly on my right shoulder while a strong but soft Hand is placed on the left ...Grim and DD's here too?......Dearest Angel.. along with "New Friends that I haven't met yet", Riddler and Doc Poppet walked close by....."Now Look up to the Sky's young Pup!".....There... flying high above us all were MG's Mighty Dragons joined by PTG's own Fairy Godmother (known fondly to Special Room Dwellers as AEGram) casting forth a warm healing Glow,... covering those on the ground below......"Oh My!'......"What now Mrs Fletcher?"......"More and more of the Castles Folk like Salty and Lord Chamberlain are joining us in Spirit as well .....as are so many Friends that I've haven't had an opportunity to get to know yet!"......As twilight descends on this setting, a small weary figure makes her way up to her favorite mound above the camp accompanied by the warm spirit of her Granny Fletcher and Special Critter Flash...it is now,....as Granny gathers Her Pup close to her ....Pup finally allows healing tears to burst forth from her broken heart.....As Pup's tears fall.... a Bright Beautiful Butterfly settles softly on her shoulder just for a second or two before flying back to be with MG & The Dragon Queen.......

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

With dry eyes and a heavy heart, I follow the others in front of me. Occasionally holding up my robes to keep from tripping on the white ' carpet ', it was a quiet march broken up by only by the sound of a deep sigh or a small sniffle. I could hear Ayla still chanting her mourning prayer and that was only because she was directly behind me I doubted that anyone else heard her. I found it comforting even though I had no idea what she said, it was enough to bring a bit of peace to my aching heart.

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

I take my place in line .... looking down at the white "carpet".... wondering if we are expected to walk ALL the way to the Elven forest.... It feels like each step is a mile and get an odd feeling that something is strange about the carpet... I glance up at the landscape at the same time as my foot steps forward ... lo and behold, the landscape rushes past me as if each step truly does cover a mile.... I am instantly nauseated and focus my eyes back on the carpet.... My feet feel like lead .. my heart aching .... as we dutifully march forward...

For an instant my mind flashes back to finding my "foster" parents still and cold from succumbing to the plague Arabella had sent to our land... The knowledge that I was all alone in the world at ten years old... Darkness threatens to consume me..... Suddenly, I feel an overwhelming sensation, as if we are being watched by "ghosts", but not ghosts.... the sensation is warm, consoling, peaceful... as if we are being hugged by beings we can't see.... I want to look up, but the world is literally flying by us and I won't risk throwing up on THIS carpet.... At this rate, we should get to the Elven Forest in no time...

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

Time and distance have no meaning on our solemn march.... At last we come to a clearing beside a crystal clear blue water source known as the Pond of Life.... Rows of Elven warriors dressed in red ceremonial robes flank us on both sides.... The humans are dressed in black robes and given black slippers to walk the ceremonial funeral grounds.... The Elven Council members are dressed in dark, rich purple robes ... Their Priest steps forward, also in the dark purple robes but with gold runes embroidered at the hems and running down the front clasps....

In front of the priest are crystal tombs with Apollo and Shadow laying side by side in one and the fallen Elven warriors in the others.... All dressed in their red ceremonial warrior robes.... Across each warrior's chest are their weapons, never to be touched by another soul.... The air is still, even the birds have stopped singing.. the only sound is the water lapping at the shore of the pond....

Out of the forest comes the Dire Wolves, taking their places along side the Elven warriors.... their heads hanging low, their eyes filled with sorrow.... Smoke is last to arrive, his steps slow and mechanical, his shoulders hunched as if he carries the weight of the world on them.... He leads the others in a mournful howl... chilling me to the bone and raising the hair on the back of my neck....

As the howl ends, the Priest starts a melodious chanting in a firm, reverend tone.... I don't understand any of it as it is spoken in the Elvish language but, I don't really need to know the language as I imagine he is praising the warriors for the life they have lived... their service, their sacrifice to bring peace to all lands ravaged by Arabella and Murk... As he indicates his head toward Apollo, I imagine he refers to her blossoming powers and how she would have one day become one of the greatest among them..... I imagine he also refers to Shadow as her faithful and most loyal companion, fighting with her side by side till the end... I am grateful the Elves understood their relationship and allow them to rest for all eternity together in death as they were in life.... The Priest moves on to the other warriors and I imagine he recounts their lives as well....

As soon as the Priest stops talking, he bows his head while several Elves step forward to move the crystal chambers to their final resting places....

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

The large tree with a gaping hole shudders, and the hole expands to allow access to the rooms within..... The Elven Council follows the Elven warriors into the massive staging area.... We follow close behind and the first thing I see is the Queen dragon.... standing beside a podium surrounded by water and rocks lining the circle of water.... The rest of the elves follow behind us and lastly the dire wolves... Smoke makes his way to the Queen ... they exchange glances and nod in acknowledgment of their shared grief....

The fallen warrior elves are laid to rest, in what looks to be, family "plots".... Each family given time to say their final farewells.... We stand in silence, our heads bowed patiently waiting for Apollo's turn....

At long last, Apollo and Shadow's chamber is placed directly behind the podium.... The Golden Queen, in the ancient tongue of dragons, begins a chant that causes the podium to glow... The Priest comes over and stands beside the Queen, adding his own magical chant to hers... The Queen blows a short burst of fire at the top of the podium and a strange looking flame appears..... There is no oil to keep the flame going, yet the flame continues to feed itself, producing, what I gather will be, an eternal flame.... Our group gathers around Apollo's tomb to say our final farewells.....

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

I stand beside Imp on one side of me Rose on the other, to my right is Penny, to my left is Pup and standing to Pups right is Alya singing softly an ancient song I do not understand nor do we understand the chants from the Elven Council but in our hearts we understand.
As we stand beside The Pond Of Life surround by The Council , row upon row of Elvin Warriors we look upon our beloved Apollo and Shadow side by side in crystal tombs,
not one sign of the battle that took them away from us just a serene look on them.
I sense before I see them The Dire Wolves walking ever so slow and light on there huge paws, then I feel our Smoke as he nears the pack I see his heartbreak feel his sorrow then he leads the Dire's in a haunting mournful last farewell to all the fallen before him, my eyes fill with tears , by heart beats faster and the hairs on the nape of my neck raise .
As the last howl echoes across MC Land several Elves step forward to move the Crystal Chambers to there final resting place just as they reach the chambers my mind speaks to all we are linked to in the Camp and with the aid of The Golden Queen and The Fairygodmother and all I left back in The Special Room , Grim, DD, PTG, Angel ,Roo, Mrs Fletcher, and all there critters, I say two words **** STAY STRONG******* continued

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

We enter the gaping hole in the large tree into what we see as special rooms with a large staging area.
We all stop as we come upon The Golden Queen and watch Smoke make his way to her and all see the exchange of grief and sorrow flow between them he then steps aside to join the rest of the pack.
We all stand hands hidden in our cloaks in respect for the Elvin Tradition and with bowed heads await to say our final goodbye to our beloved Apollo and Shadow.
My ears pick and and understand the Anciet Chant from long ago used on Pern in there burial's of fallen Dragon/ Rider/Warrior I do not know of how I have this knowledge but I understand what The Queen is chanting then The Priest joins the Queen to finish there chant in honor of the fallen .
At the very last of the combined chant The Queen blows a gentile puff of smoke to ignite the Eternal Flame over the podium and in front of Apollo and Shadow's final resting place..
We gather and say our final farewells .

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

It was the most beautiful ceremony I had ever seen, no big fanfare just a quiet respectful goodbye to their fallen warriors. I felt honored to be part of it, even though we could not understand the words we could certainly understand the intent. These beautiful beings were laid to rest with the utmost care, love and respect befitting of this magical place. I bowed my head and reached for Imp's hand, I knew this was hitting her the hardest. I wanted her to know that she wasn't alone.

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

I squeeze Penny's hand and briefly look up at her.... tears start to form as my determination to stay strong weakens... (keep it together... keep it together... NO!.. it's NOT FAIR!!)... anger builds .. threatening to boil over into rage.... I realize I'm probably crushing Penny's hand and give her an apologetic look... She gives my hand a slight squeeze back indicating she forgives me....

It still doesn't seem possible Apollo is gone... She looks so peaceful, as if sleeping.... I keep waiting for her to wake up, denying the truth so plainly before me.... (please wake up.. please wake up... WAKE UP!!!!!!!... we NEED you.... please.......... wake up)... a tear escapes from my eye and as it slowly falls down my face, I let out a heavy sigh of resignation... (Good bye Apollo,... good bye Shadow... rest in peace and know you were loved)...

Re:Midnight News-Call to Arms-Surviving Chaos

As we our small group present stand around heads bowed and hearts aching we all say Adios for now to our beloved Apollo ( Robyn) and Shadow and each in our own silent words .
As I am silently speaking a very warm glow fills my heart taking away the emptiness and heart wrenching sorrow it was filled with replacing it with memories and so much love that I will never forget what they meant to us all.
As the warm glow spreads I hear Robyn You Are Not Alone Never Will Be and You Are Loved My Captain .
The Priest comes to my side and bows to me as I return in respect,, he leads me a few feet away and tells me that we must now depart for theses fallen heroes will be going on there final voyage and according to our Laws and traditions they will remain a fort night before they return at such time you and any others will be able to come visit .
An aid will show you where to place your robes and slippers and there you will find your personal belongings .
You must keep the white slippers on until you pass to the other side of the tree there you will remove the white slippers and an aid will take them and will hand you a package.
He blessed myself and the others and we did his biding.
Just before we stepped on the ground and put our personal foot wear on the aid took all our slippers and was gone .
We find ourselves outside the large tree on the Pond Of Life bank and I see a package ,, must be what the Priest spoke of.
I reached to pick it up and a gasp escaped my mouth ,,,, It was Robyn's writing of my name,,,,,,,,,,
Trembling hands I opened the package and found inside a velvet pouch ,, opening the pouch was two seedlings one a baby Lilly second a baby Wolfbine,,, I have never seen a Wolfbine but knew right away what it was,,,
holding these delicate seedlings I again heard **** You Are Never Alone****
I turn to our group and say lets go home................